Curbside take-out resumes at Sole, VIA and One Eleven

Tuesday

May 12, 2020 at 2:53 PMMay 12, 2020 at 3:34 PM

Worcester Restaurant Group restaurants, The Sole Proprietor, One Eleven Chophouse and VIA Italian Table, reopened May 12 for take out, curbside pickup.

Robb Ahlquist, co-owner with his wife, Madeleine Ahlquist, of Worcester Restaurant Group, said restaurants stopped doing take-out after the first week of the mandated closure, even though the business was trending strongly.

“With the spread of COVID-19 rapidly expanding, we felt that the potential danger to our employees and customers wasn’t worth the risk,” said Ahlquist. “We decided to wait until the May 4 date set by the governor to assess where things stood.

“Providing take-out meals again will allow the business to evaluate, improve and standardize our operations so we are fully prepared to serve customers inside our restaurants when that opportunity is allowed,” he said.

At this point, the federal Paycheck Protection Program funding affords Worcester Restaurant Group the ability to operate the take-out business, according to Ahlquist. “We expect the governor will allow restaurants to re-open regular dining before that funding is used up,” he said.

Hours for to-go curbside pickup at the Worcester Restaurant Group restaurants:

“It is important for Worcester Restaurant Group to restart our businesses even though we don’t quite know what the business levels will be moving forward,” added Ahlquist. “Things we do know: We are prepared to operate with the necessary safety protocols. We are excited to get back to work producing great food, drink and hospitality for our customers. We are ready for the challenges ahead.